Best Mechanical Engineering Associate Degree Programs, Jobs, and Salaries

Cuyamaca College was opened officially in 1978. Currently, it has a total enrollment of more than 8,500 students. The school also offers online classes for students who need more flexibility in their schedules. The college is known for its career-focused pathways and high transfer rates to San Diego State University and University of California.

Associate in Science Degree Mechanical Engineering

This degree in engineering has a total of 56 credits. The coursework includes general education and major courses. Major courses include electricity and magnetism, electric circuits, and dynamics. Graduates of this associate degree can become engineering aides or mechanical engineering technicians.

Associate in Science Degree Mechanical Engineering Overview

• Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
• Tuition (and Fees): $46/unit (in-state), $353/unit (out of state)
• Required Credits: 56 credits
• Program Length: 2 years
• Learning Format: In-person
• NCES School Graduation Rate: 31%

Associate in Science Degree Mechanical Engineering Admission Requirements

• GPA: No minimum requirement
• Standardized Tests: Not required
• Application Fee: None
• Minimum Education: High school diploma or equivalent
• Other Requirements: High school transcript

Applying to Cuyamaca College

1. Go to the school’s website and fill out the online application form.
2. Make a WebAdvisor account.
3. Submit your official transcripts to the admissions office.
4. Finish the online orientation.
5. Take the English and math assessments.
6. Join the advising session.

Delta College was founded in 1961 and started with about 2,600 students. At present, the school enrolls over 9,000 students yearly. The college offers over 150 degree programs in over 70 fields of study.

Associate in Applied Science Mechanical Engineering Technology

This mechanical engineering associate degree requires 62 credits for graduation. Some of the subjects you’ll have to take are machine tools, machine design, introduction to engineering materials, and statistics and strength of materials. Upon finishing this degree, the students are expected to develop, design, and test industrial machinery and consumer products.

Associate in Applied Science Mechanical Engineering Technology Overview

• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
• Tuition: $121/credit hour (in-state), $214/credit hour (out of state)
• Required Credits: 62 credits
• Program Length: 2 years
• Learning Format: In-person
• NCES School Graduation Rate: 16%

Associate in Applied Science Mechanical Engineering Technology Admission Requirements

• GPA: No minimum requirement
• Standardized Tests: SAT or Accuplacer testing
• Application Fee: None
• Minimum Education: High school diploma or equivalent
• Other Requirements: High school transcript

Applying to Delta College

1. Go to the school’s website and create an account.
2. Wait for instructions on setting up your Delta account.
3. Send your transcript.
4. Schedule Accuplacer testing if you didn’t meet the required SAT scores.
5. Complete the self-placement survey.
6. Attend the online orientation.
7. Apply for financial aid.

Hostos Community College was founded in 1968. It has a total number of enrollees of around 7,000 students. This school is known for offering a game design degree and a million-dollar studio for its media design programs.

Associate in Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering

This 63-credit mechanical engineering degree program requires students to take general education, intensive, elective, and major credits. Major courses include thermal systems analysis, thermodynamics, and fund of mechatronics. With this degree, students are expected to be proficient in basic engineering concepts and abstract mathematical reasoning skills.

Associate in Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering Overview

• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
• Tuition (and Fees): $265/credit (in-state), $420/credit (out of state)
• Required Credits: 63 credits
• Program Length: 2 years
• Learning Format: In-campus
• NCES School Graduation Rate: 23%

Associate in Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering Admission Requirements

• GPA: Not required
• Standardized Tests: Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC)
• Application Fee: $65
• Minimum Education: High school diploma or equivalent
• Other Requirements: High school transcript

Applying to Hostos Community College

1. Fill out the online CUNY application form.
2. Submit your official transcript or TASC.
3. Send an original high school diploma.
4. Pay the application fee.
5. Wait for your results.

Lone Star College was founded in 1972. As of Fall 2021, it has more than 85,000 enrolled students. The school has over 100 programs to choose from and is known to be a fast-growing community college in the region.

Associate in Science Mechanical Engineering

This mechanical engineering associate degree requires students to complete 60 credits. Its courses cover mechanics of materials, electric circuits, and differential equations. After completing this degree, students are expected to understand quality control analysis and system analysis and gain troubleshooting skills.

Associate in Science Mechanical Engineering Overview

• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
• Tuition (and Fees): $90/credit (in state), $202/credit (out of state), $257/credit (international)
• Required Credits: 60 credits
• Program Length: 2 years
• Learning Format: In-person, online
• NCES School Graduation Rate: 12%

Associate in Science Mechanical Engineering Admission Requirements

• GPA: No minimum requirement except for scholarships
• Standardized Tests: Not required
• Application Fee: None
• Minimum Education: High school diploma or equivalent
• Other Requirements: High school transcripts, TSI assessment, bacterial meningitis vaccination, Campus Health, Safety, & Risk-Management Awareness modules

Applying to Lone Star College

1. Fill out the online application form.
2. Finish the placement testing and pre-assessment activity.
3. Send your high school transcript.
4. Wait for the results and attend the student orientation.

Midlands Technical College was founded in 1974 when three separate institutions merged to become one college. The college enrolls about 25,000 students every year. Some of their programs are accounting, marketing, management, and biology.

Associate Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology

This degree program requires students to complete 66 credits. The coursework includes statics and strength of materials, thermodynamics, and engineering materials. In this program, students will be able to learn material strengths, energy production, motion, and effects of forces.

Mechanical Engineering Technology Overview

• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
• Tuition (and Fees): $188/credit hour (in state), $235/credit hour (out of state)
• Required Credits: 66 credits
• Program Length: 2 years
• Learning Format: In-person, hybrid, online
• NCES School Graduation Rate: 12%

Associate Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology Admission Requirements

• GPA: No minimum requirement
• Standardized Tests: Not required
• Application Fee: $35
• Minimum Education: High school diploma or equivalent
• Other Requirements: Placement test

Applying to Midlands Technical College

1. Go to the school’s website and fill out the online application form.
2. Submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if you need financial aid.
3. Wait for the school’s email and instructions for account login.
4. Send your high school transcript.
5. Complete the test placement process as required.

New York City College of Technology was established in 1946 and named The New York State Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences. It had over 15,500 undergraduate enrollment during the fall of 2020. Some of its programs are accounting, applied computational physics, biomedical informatics, applied science, and communication design.

Associate of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology

This Associate Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology requires a minimum of 64 credits for graduation. Some of the courses students need to take are statics and strength of materials, thermodynamics, and kinematics and dynamics of machines. The program aims to help students get entry-level positions or give them an opportunity to continue their education.

Associate of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology Overview

• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
• Tuition: $3,465/semester (in state), $620/credit (out of state)
• Required Credits: 64 to 66 credits
• Program Length: 2 years
• Learning Format: In-person
• NCES School Graduation Rate: 18%

Associate of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology Admission Requirements

• GPA: No minimum requirement
• Standardized Tests: Not required
• Application Fee: $65
• Minimum Education: High school diploma or equivalent
• Other Requirements: 70 average or a minimum score of 2700 on the High School Equivalency (GED), TASC, HSET exam

Applying to New York City College of Technology

1. Fill out the online application form the school’s website.
2. Email the required documents to admissions@citytech.cuny.edu.
3. Wait for the results from the admissions office.

Northcentral Technical College was founded in 1912. It has six campuses and offers online programs to nearly 6,400 enrollees. Programs it offers include culinary arts, wood science, radiography, and nursing.

Mechanical Design Engineering Technology Associate Degree

This associate degree has a total of 63 to 65 credits. The coursework includes AutoCAD applications, designing for manufacturability, and quality assurance. After this course, some careers that a graduate can pursue are engineering technician, product designer, design drafter, drafter, or CAD technician.

Mechanical Design Engineering Technology Associate Degree Overview

• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
• Tuition: $143/credit (in state); $215/credit (out of state)
• Required Credits: 63 to 65 credits
• Program Length: 2 years
• Learning Format: In-campus, online
• NCES School Graduation Rate: 36%

Mechanical Design Engineering Technology Associate Degree Admission Requirements

• GPA: 2.5
• Standardized Tests: ACT
• Application Fee: $30
• Minimum Education: High school diploma or equivalent
• Other Requirements: Accuplacer scores

Applying to Northcentral Technical College

1. Fill out the online application form on the school’s website.
2. Pay the application fee.
3. Submit the needed requirements for review.
4. Wait for your acceptance letter.

Penn State Behrend opened its doors to students for the first time in 1948 and started with 146 students. Today, it has over 5,100 enrollees. The school offers programs like electrical engineering technology, general business, accounting, applied economics, biology, and chemistry.

Associate Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology

This 68-credit associate degree’s coursework includes production design laboratory, strengths and properties of materials, and machine design. In this program, students gain the ability to conduct experiments, standard tests, and measurements. It prepares students for employment in fields like design, safety, or manufacturing.

Associate Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology Overview

• Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
• Tuition (and Fees): $15,586 per year (in-state); $25,600 per year (out of state)
• Required Credits: 68 credits
• Program Length: 2 years
• Learning Format: In-person
• NCES School Graduation Rate: 73%

Associate Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology Admission Requirements

• GPA: No minimum requirement
• Standardized Tests: Optional
• Application Fee: $65
• Minimum Education: High school diploma or equivalent
• Other Requirements: High school transcript

Applying to Penn State Behrend

1. Choose the platform you’ll use for the online application and document submission.
2. Create a MyPennState profile, which you’ll need for your self-reported academic record.
3. Pay the application fee.
4. Wait for the notification on your application status.

Thomas Nelson Community College was founded in 1967. It had a total student body of over 9,600 students from 2020 to 2021. It offers accounting, business administration, management, social science, and visual arts programs.

Associate of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology

This associate degree requires 67 to 68 credits. The coursework includes parametric solid modeling, applied hydraulics, pneumatics and hydrostatics, and principles of macroeconomics. After completing the program, you can be a mechanical engineering technologist who develops industrial machinery, consumer products, engines, and other equipment.

Associate of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology Overview

• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
• Tuition (and Fees): $156/credit (in state, military contract rate, and military rate out of state domicile), $216/credit (business contract rate), $333/credit (out of state)
• Required Credits: 67 to 68 credits
• Program Length: 2 years
• Learning Format: In-person
• NCES School Graduation Rate: 28%

Associate of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology Admission Requirements

• GPA: No minimum required
• Standardized Tests: Not required
• Application Fee: Free
• Minimum Education: High school diploma or equivalent
• Other Requirements: None

Applying to Thomas Nelson Community College

1. Go to the how to apply page on the school’s website
2. Create a MyTNCC account.
3. Submit the documents and requirements.
4. Apply for financial aid as needed.
5. Make an appointment with your advisor.

Volunteer State Community College was founded in 1971. The school had over 11,700 students from 2019 to 2020. They offer a wide range of courses like accounting, business administration, finance, management, marketing, and computer science.

Associate of Science in Mechanical Engineering

This associate degree in engineering has a total of 66 units. The coursework topics include general chemistry, calculus, differential equations, statics, and dynamics. This program can serve as a stepping stone for students who want to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Associate of Science in Mechanical Engineering Overview

• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
• Tuition (and Fees): $215/credit hour
• Required Credits: 66 credits
• Program Length: 2 years
• Learning Format: In-person
• NCES School Graduation Rate: 25%

Associate of Science in Mechanical Engineering Admission Requirements

• GPA: No minimum requirement but 3.5 GPA for those applying for presidential scholarships
• Standardized Tests: SAT or ACT
• Application Fee: None
• Minimum Education: High school diploma or equivalent
• Other Requirements: Must be at least 16 years old, official transcripts, placement test, acceptable scores on the GED or HSET

Applying to Volunteer State Community College

1. Complete the online application form.
2. Confirm your US citizenship.
3. Send your official transcript.
4. Show your ACT or SAT scores.
5. Wait for the results.

A product designer thinks of concepts for manufactured products. They can combine engineering, art, and business with building products that people can use every day. They consult clients to identify the requirements for the design and then create design prototypes.

• Average Salary: $86,381
• Job Outlook: 6% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 31,500
• Highest-Paying States: Virginia, Arizona, Kansas

A mechanical engineering technician assists mechanical engineers in designing, developing, testing, and manufacturing tools, machines, and engines. They assess specifications in design drawings. They also conduct testing for complete units and give suggestions for cost-effective changes.

• Average Salary: $60,460
• Job Outlook: 6% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 40,400
• Highest-Paying States: Louisiana, Maine, Nevada

A drafter usually collaborates with architects and engineers. They work with rough sketches and convert the designs of engineers and architects to technical drawings. They also design products using manufacturing and engineering techniques.

• Average Salary: $60,290
• Job Outlook: - 2% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 191,800
• Highest-Paying States: Washington, Massachusetts, New Jersey

A robotics technician is someone who troubleshoots and fixes robotic systems. They know about microprocessors, electronics, circuit analysis, feedback systems, and sensors. They are expected to maintain and assemble the robotic system made by the robotic engineer. They are also expected to provide and install functions of the robotic system.

• Average Salary: $55,982
• Job Outlook: 6% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 40,400
• Highest-Paying States: Louisiana, Maine, Nevada

A quality assurance technician revises and reviews testing procedures through manual or automatic quality checks. They also check employees' safety and compliance to quality regulations. They give suggestions as well for improving production efficiency.

• Average Salary: $47,826
• Job Outlook: 12% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 557,900
• Highest-Paying States: Alaska, North Dakota, Washington